Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Chalk + Cab = Yummy

2005 Chalk Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
Go ahead. Take a sip. How much do you think it costs? Okay, not to ruin the ending but...$4.99!! It turns out that Trader Joe's is able to score such good deals on their wine because they 1) wait until a winery is desperate to get rid of inventory and 2) come with cash in hand. This one-two punch lands some mighty good wines in our homes. This one is big and bold -- there's nothing subtle about it. But it's a cabernet sauvignon, so we'd expect nothing less. If you're grilling a steak or portabella mushroom, this is your wine.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Perfect Pinot Grigio with Pasta

2007 Caposaldo Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio excels at cutting through anything acidic. So if, for instance, you're making a linguine with zucchini, tomatoes and toasted almonds in a lemony-shalot sauce, it's a perfect pairing. (See June 2009 issue of Cooking Light page 124 for the recipe.) At $9 a bottle, this bottle is a stand-out. A little earthier and full-bodied than a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio can stand up to bolder flavors and more acidity, while still holding its own.

2007 is Truly Terrific!

2007 Sicilia Nero d'Avola Red Wine
Yep, it's another wonder wine from 2007. The lesson is: when in doubt, lunge for the 2007. This one is made exclusively from Nero d'Avola grapes and is smooth and velvety with a bright bouquet. Grilled anything is great with it, as is a grilled veggie salad of eggplant, onion and zucchini. Thank you, Trader Joe's!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Punchy Panilonco

2007 Panilonco Carmenere
Subtle, it is not. Refined? Um, no. But it's tasty and stands up to everything from ribs to spicy food, so there's not much to complain about. A Trader Joe's special find, this is some serious swilling wine for the summer season. (It might also be the least expensive wine ever posted to the Wonder Wine blog!)